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Nuclear Weapons: Procurement

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 10 July 2026UIN 15527

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2026, to question 11271 on Nuclear Weapons: Procurement, and with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published in 30 June 2026, Table 3: Spending on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, how much of the £13bn “Warhead” allocation for FY26/27 – FY29/30 relates to the cost estimate for Astraea for this Parliament.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Funding for the Astraea programme is included within the £13 billion investment in the sovereign nuclear warhead programme between the 2026-27 and 2029-30 financial years, as announced in the 2026 Defence Investment Plan. That investment also includes sustaining our current Mk4A warhead and modernising the associated infrastructure.

However, I am withholding the estimated cost of the Astraea programme between these financial years for the purpose of safeguarding our national security.

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